Edith R. Bailey

Edith R. Bailey, (known as Edie), age 87 of Holly, Michigan passed away peacefully at home on October 27, 2024. Edie was the last survivor of her family. Edie was born Feb. 24, 1937 in Holly to Roy and Ruth Ann (Tripp) Merrill. Edie married Russell J. Bailey at age 16 on Dec. 11, 1953. They were married 67 years, till his passing. Together they built their forever home starting with digging the basement with shovels. They went on to have 4 children and Edie was a very proud stay at home mom. She loved to bake and cook for her family and keeping a spotless house enjoying every chore. She loved summer with planting vegetable gardens, flower gardens and canning everything she grew. She would sit outside in a chair watching for moles to scoop them out of her yard so they would stop destroying her lawn. If she decided she didn't like where a wall was in the house, she did not have a problem swinging a sledge hammer to remove it! She would go out and play baseball and even football with her children, even getting water on the knee playing sports with her boys, but that didn't stop her. She made every holiday special. Christmas was one of her favorite holidays to decorate for. Every corner and wall had a decoration on display. Once her 4 children were grown she loved taking care of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Edie loved to feed the birds watching them all and she loved teaching the kids about them too. Another favorite pass time was watching Gunsmoke and the Rifleman. Edie was a lifetime member of Chapter 854 Holly Women of the Moose. She loved to cook Friday night specials and waitress the supper hour. She helped put on many funeral dinners. Edie leaves behind to cherish her memory, 3 children, Russell Bailey, Lois Badder and Martene Bailey all of Holly; 12 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild, 1 brother-in-law Robert Bailey of TN, and many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Diane (a.k.a. Elfie) for the love and visits every 2 weeks for the past 2 years. She looked forward to the visits, meals, and treats. Edie was proceeded in death by her husband Russell J. Bailey, her son Steve Bailey, daughter-in-law Bonnie Bailey, son-in-law Gregory Badder, 5 sisters and 3 brothers. Visitation will be at Dryer Funeral Home, Holly, Fri., Nov. 1, 2024 from 10 AM – 1 PM with funeral services at 1 PM followed by a burial at Lakeside Cemetery in Holly. Memorial contributions can be made to the family of Edie Bailey.wwwdryerfuneralhomeholly.com